relief for sore boobies

[tippytoes]

Hi guys,
I've been in a couple of times with my wean not weaning dilehmas. Please help if you can.
I am starting to wean DS. He is one week off 16 months. The reason is I am going back to work full time next year and just don't want that engorged feeling during the day. TBH I think a part of me is really struggling with ending - I don't really feel ready. But I kind of feel I have too. Some outside pressure to give up too. DS still LOVES boom boom. I tried cutting back... he just gets frustrated etc. It was very hard. We were down to 2 feeds per day. Last night I gave him some cows milk for bed time. He cried but he drank it after a bit...went to sleep, woke up. I cuddled him back to sleep - EVENTUALLY. Today, he has nothing and it didn't bother him till he was ready for bed. I tried a few other settling techniques to no avail. If I put him in his cot and try to pat him etc he gets worse if he knows I am in the room. So I put him to bed (he had had a small bottle of milk prior - but he isn't that interested in it TBH) and he cried/whinged for about 5 mins. I don't know what else to do. If I try to cuddle him to sleep, rock, pat play music etc he gets worse. Sorry off track.
My problem is my breasts are very sore and engorged, please tell me how to help them feel better. In the shower this morning I gently expressed some milk off and it felt a little better. It isn't a good feeling at all. I am scared I will get mastitis.

Thanks guys rachx

[onthefly]

You need to take it really sloooooow to avoid engorgement. Don't drop feeds all at once - it'll be harder on the both of you.
If it's bad, the best thing right now might be to get your DS to feed or do a good express, then start the process over, cutting back 1 feed per week at most (you have time to do that, right?) It will probably be easier on the little guy that way too.
If you cut back gradually, you can probably keep 1-2 feeds per day without getting engorged during the day as your breasts will have adjusted to the new 'schedule' - so that leaves the door open to continuing if you change your mind again.

[tippytoes]

thanks marcellus... I am sitting here crying in an absolute mess.. I really don't want to give up... but feel pressured to do so. I know he has to wean evetually, I don't want to feed him forever. I just so stuck

[tippytoes]

After crying my eyes out and speaking to my Best friend I have decided I am not ready to stop. DH is at work I called him in tears and he said 'just let DS choose when he finishes if you want to feed him'. That is what I am going to do. I just put DS on the really engorged side for a dream feed - he did a great job. Now, I need to go and pump off the rest.

[Lulu]

Awwww, it didn't sound like you are ready. Yay for supportive family and friends

[Jennifer13]

Oh hun, I'm so glad you feel like you've been able to come to a decision that suits both you and DS. I bf my DD only twice a day from the time she was about 18 mths. It never interfered with working (I was working away from her from when she was about 8 mths). Morning and night bfs suited both of us. GL!

[tippytoes]

thanks Jen and Lulu.... man I am emotional about this
all good now, I have pumped both sides off and dream fed DS one side also. if he wakes during the nights I'll give offer again. Jen I think morning and night is good, maybe just nights eventually. I feel way better now..teary but better thanks

[onthefly]

Oh good It is a really emotional thing. Definitely don't stop just because of what someone else thinks

[Swoop]

Tippytoes, I'm so glad you came to that decision, I read your post last night and was about to reply when my DH asked for my help with something. You sound much more comfortable with the decision you've reached now.

Did you know that when you put your username in on the iPhone the suggestion it comes up with is Yuppified!

[tippytoes]

that is funny swoop - yuppified! I didn't even know that was a word!
and yep marcellus you are so right about that!